Construction Occupancy: How to Prepare for the Final Inspection

Your construction project is 99% complete. The walls are painted, the flooring is down, the lights are on and everyone is talking about move-in day.

So you’re basically done, right?

Not even close!

Getting a building ready for occupancy requires months of preparation, testing, documentation and coordination between the contractor, consultants, owner and Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ).

In Episode 47 of What the RFI?, Matt Brennan kicks off a four-part series on construction occupancy and project closeout with a practical look at how to prepare for occupancy before the final inspection.

This episode covers:

• When to start preparing for construction occupancy
• Creating and tracking a contractor occupancy checklist
• Architectural, mechanical and electrical closeout requirements
• Consultant field reviews before occupancy
• Schedule S-B and Schedule S-C requirements
• ULC fire alarm monitoring certificates
• Fire alarm verification
• Hiring and coordinating the CAN/ULC-S1001 testing coordinator
• Schedule C-A and Schedule C-B Letters of Assurance
• Coordinating consultant documentation
• AHJ-specific occupancy requirements
• Contractor testing certificates and closeout documentation
• Backflow testing, water testing, elevator approvals and other required reports
• Common paperwork issues that can delay an occupancy permit

The biggest takeaway?

Occupancy preparation starts months before the final inspection, not weeks.

This is Part 1 of the What the RFI? Occupancy & Project Closeout series.

Part 2: CAN/ULC-S1001 Integrated Systems Testing

Part 3: The Occupancy Inspection

Part 4: Project Closeout, Substantial Performance & Ready-for-Takeover

Chapters

• 00:00 Ready for Occupancy?
• 00:39 The Occupancy & Project Closeout Series
• 03:43 When Should Occupancy Prep Start?
• 07:58 Architectural, Mechanical & Electrical Closeout
• 10:45 Schedule S-B & Schedule S-C
• 15:34 ULC Fire Alarm Monitoring Certificate
• 17:04 Fire Alarm Verification
• 18:49 Hiring the CAN/ULC-S1001 Testing Coordinator
• 22:33 Schedule C-A – CRP Letter of Assurance
• 24:09 Schedule C-B – Consultant Letters of Assurance
• 28:57 AHJ-Specific Occupancy Requirements
• 30:14 Contractor Testing & Occupancy Documents
• 33:20 Pulling the Occupancy Package Together
• 35:05 Next: CAN/ULC-S1001 Integrated Testing

What the RFI? is a Construction Administration podcast covering RFIs, submittals, site instructions, change orders, field reviews, construction contracts, project closeout and the day-to-day realities of managing construction projects.

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